Congress candidate from Hassan H.K. Mahesh, who suffered a defeat in the Assembly election, has refuted allegations that he had an understanding with the BJP.
He told presspersons here on Wednesday, “I had no understanding with either the BJP or the JD(S). I appeal to the JD(S) leaders not to make baseless allegations against me. I am hurt by the defeat and I wish to convey to the people of the constituencythat I had no understanding with opposition candidates.”
JD(S) leaders had alleged that Mahesh had an understanding with the BJP and that caused the defeat of the JD(S) candidate in Hassan.
An emotionally charged Mahesh said he got more Muslim votes than from other communities. “I was expecting the support of all communities, including my own caste. But, Vokkaligas did not vote for me.”
He also alleged that distribution of cash among voters played a major role. He had thought that the JD(S) was his prime opponent, and failed to calculate the capacity of the BJP. “I could not match the BJP candidate in terms of cash. Wherever I went, people were expecting money. Of course, I agree I distributed whatever I had, but could not match them in spending money", he said.
